Body stretcher



Dec. 28 1926.

- 1,612,496 5. DOBBINS BODY STRETCHER Filed Dec. 14,1925

INVENTOR GeoQDobb ins couch.

Patented Dec. 28, 1926.

UNITED s'rA'res GEORGE DOBBINS, OF BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

BODY STRETCHER.

Application filed December 14, 1925. Serial No. 75,249.

This invention relates to improvements in mechanical body stretching devices for loosening up, separating and expanding every joint in the frame-work of the human body. The purpose and value of such stretching has long been recognized, especially by those following the chiropractic theory of tension therapy, and its relation to health.

I am aware that various devices have been already devised and marketed for thus stretching the body, but as far as I know such devices are all in the form of couches, with a somewhat complicated and expensive stretching mechanism incorporated with the Such devices not only take up considerable room, but are quite costly and hence beyond the means of persons of small income whose health would be benefited by this method of treatment.

The principal object of my invention therefore is to provide a device for stretching the body, which is fully as etficient in operation as any of the devices already out, but which can be marketed at but a fraction of the cost of such other devices.

A further object is to provide an appliance for the purpose, so constructed that a bed, a table or the floor may be used as the member on which the patient reclines, and the apparatus may be quickly and easily set up in connection with such member.

Another object is to construct the apparatus in such a manner that it may be folded up so as to occupy a minimum space in a box (about 2X5X24 inches for instance) so that it may be stored on a closet shelf or the like when not in use, or it may be easily carried with the baggage of a person when travelling.

A still further object of the invention is to arrange the device so that the patient may fit the appliance to himself and may then operate the same without assistance.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Fig. 1 is a fanciful perspective outline of a human form, showing my stretching apparatus applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a cord winding drum detached.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of an ankle attachment.

Fig. 4c is a similar view of a body attachment.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a flat supporting element on which the patient 2 reclines; this. element being as reviously stated, a bed, table or even the oor.

Temporarily or permanently secured to the walls, door frames, base-boards, or other removable fixtures or" a room are hooks 3-, and 4. These hooks are mounted so as to be in longitudinal alinement with the element 1 and preferably some distance above the level of the same. There are two of the hooks 3, transversely spaced beyond the foot of the element 1, while a single hook t is disposed centrally of the element 1 beyond the head thereof.

Pulleys 5 are detachably connected to the hooks 3 and substantial and non-stretchable cords 6 pass about the pulleys. One of the ends of these cords are located between the pulleys and the feet 7 of the patient and have hooks 8 permanently attached thereto. These hooks dctachably engage attachments adapted to be removably fastened to both ankles of the patient independently. Each attachment comprises a strap 9 adapted to surround the ankle and provided with ad justment and securing means such as the ordinary buckle structure 10. Projecting from the strap 9 intermediate the ends thereof are other straps 11, disposed so as to be alincd transversely on opposite sides of the ankle and to extend horizontally to a point beyond the foot. Rings 12 are fired on the outer ends of the straps 11., these rings bcing adapted to be brought together after the strap 9 is applied to the ankle, and to be then both engaged lay the correspondii'ig hook 8.

The cords 6 from the hooks extend about the pulleys 5 as stated and then run upwardly along-side the patient 2 to a point a certain distance beyond his head, at which point the cords make a common connection with a single cord 13. This cord then passes about a pulley 14 detachably connected to the hook to an end located between the pulley and the head of the patient. A hook 15 is permanently attached to said end.

This hook is adapted to be detachably engaged with a head attachment which comprises a hood 16 adapted to beplaced over the back of the head and to extend to and down the neck. Adjacent its neck portion the hood is provided with a strap 17 shaped to fit the chin and provided with suitable adjustment and fastening means at both ends to rigidly fasten it to the hood. A loop strap 18 is secured at its-ends to the-hood adjacent the connection of the chin strap therewith, and is disposed so as to extend horizontally from the opposite sides of the hood to a point beyond the same. A ring 19 is connected to the strap 18 centrally between its ends, this ring being adapted to be detachably engaged with the hook 155.

Intermediate the pulleys and the connection of the cords 6 with the cord 13, said cords 6 slidably' pass in transversely spaced relation, through a transversely extending rod 20. This rod at its ends isprovided with oppositely disposed crank-handles 21 adapted to be grasped by the hands22 of the patient outstretched on the element 1. The rod 20 on each side of the cords 6 is provided with collars 23 so that the space between each pair of collars forms a drum about which the corresponding cord may wind.

In operation the cord and pulley structure is first outstretched and attached to'the respective hooks. The patient before reclining applies the ankle and head attachments to himself. He then engagesthe hooks 8 with the rings 12, lies down and reaching above his head connects the hoo-k with the ring 19. He then slides the rod along the cords so that it is positioned convenient to his hands. He then turns the'handles 21 and this operation as will be obvious causes the cord 6 to be wound about the rod'between the collars 28, causing the operative length of the cord structure between the pul leys to be shortened. This of course causes the distance between the hooks 8 and 15 to be increased, imparting the desired stretching strain to the body. If desired this stretching strain may be appliedto the body between the ankles and chest instead of between the ankles and the head or neck.

To enable this to be done I provide a separate body attachment to be used in such cases.

This attachment comprises longitudinally spaced straps 24 adapted to surround andbe secured about the body. The upper strap is intended to lit just under the arm pits and the lower strap just above the floating ribs. A longitudinally extending strap 25 connects both straps 24,-the length of this strap 25 being sufficient to reach beyond the head. The outer end of this strap has a ring 26 so as to be engaged with the hook 15. In ap plying the straps 24 tothe body, they must be so arranged that the strap 25 is disposed under the body and head.

From the *foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construct-ion of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from-the spirit of the invention, as definedby the appended claims.

Havingthus described my invention what I claim as'new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is '1. A body stretcher comprising a flexible element, means for attaching the opposite ends of said element to a human body adjacentthe opposite ends thereof, fixed meal-- bers-about which theelement passes disposed beyond the body, and arotatable inen'iber to which the element is adjustably secured intermediate its ends and about which the element is adapted to wind.

2. A body stretcher comprising a flexible element, means for attaching the opposite ends of said element to a human body adjacent the opposite ends thereof, fixed members about which the element passes disposed beyond the body, and a rotatable member having offset handles on its ends, adapt ed to be manipulated by the person to whom the-element is attached; said rotatable member extending transversely of i the element and having an orifice through which the element slidably passes.

3. A body stretcher comprising a flexible cable, means for-attaching-the ends of the cable to longitudinally opposed members of a human patient, pulleys over which the cable passes disposed beyond the body, means for mountingthe pulleys in a fixed positionythe run of the cable between the pulleys exten'dingover the patient, and a Windlass device supported by the cable extending transversely of the patient and about-which said run of the 'cable is wound, the Windlass being arranged tobe operated by the patient.

a. -A body stretcher comprising a flexible element, means for attaching tl opposite ends of said element to a human patient adj acent the opposite ends thereof, fixed members about which the element passes and disposed beyond the patient, a rotatable member to 'which the element issecured interme- -ranged to extend across the patient, and

handles on the ends of said member arranged to be manipulated by the patient.

In testimony whereof I afiiX mysignature.

enoaen DOBBINS.

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